VEDH गुजगोष्टी

Uplifting Melodies

Vaishali Made is a revered and popular voice—as melodious as a nightingale, sweet and flowing with the notes of a song. Listening to her VEDH interview under the theme ‘Saavadh Sahas’ was a treat indeed! The famous singer’s video recently crossed one million views on AVAHAN IPH, the YouTube channel. Well, I was more than happy to follow the lead of this one million. After having experienced this audio-visual-cognitive treat, I take to the keyboard.

We each meet many people who are gifted—gifted with words, musical notes, thoughts, numbers, kinesthetic acumen, paints, and whatnot! Some of these persons work on these talents actively, and choose it as their career- path. Others are happy to cherish their talent at an individual level, reaping satisfaction away from the eyes of the society. Although, the best kind of experience can be imagined as this: A confluence of how one’s talent, when chosen as their career, brings one typical material success, as well as self- development and happiness. Does this not summarize the singer’s journey?

I would now like to take you a little astray, only to bring you back to the topic. ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ is a theory of psychological health, given by the famous American psychologist Abraham Maslow. It says that human needs can be arranged into a hierarchy, from the most basic ones like food, shelter and clothing; to transcendental pursuits. It further propagates that humans are innately driven to scale the pyramid, fulfilling each need in a specific order, as they progress. The attached diagram will give the readers an idea about the theory. For the scope of this blog, I will leave aside the limitations of this theory, and exceptions to it; And focus on our faculty—Vaishali Made, in the context of Maslow’s hierarchy. Oh, she sure scaled up the pyramid…fulfilling the basic needs of her family, earning security, a social standing, fulfilling her esteem needs even after having experienced failures, right up to experiencing moments of oneness with the supreme power. Instead of scaling it on her two firm feet, she scaled it with her voice. Which brings me to, maybe all of us, as a function of being human, are meant to scale up the pyramid. Or try scaling it, at least. But in deciding how we scale it, with what tools and qualities lies our true signature.

A humanist like Maslow would say, “Vaishali found herself through her talent”. A Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapist like Dr. Albert Ellis would say that she used what was in her control (her talent) to change what was beyond her control (her circumstances). But we still talk about ‘what’ she did and accomplished. Shall we go on to the ‘how’ of it?—the process that took her to the higher steps of the hierarchy? There were challenges on the way, failures—like in any journey worth sharing with others. And more importantly for us, learnings that we can use to scale our own heights and ladders. Aspiring for the uncommon, the difficult, requires courage. Working towards those aspirations more so! For what is courage but consistency in the face of failure?

Vaishali Made’s journey is apt for the theme ‘Saavadh Sahas‘. The way I look at it: aspiring, but throwing oneself into the fray without the necessary knowledge of a career field is a recipe for recklessness garnished with sumptuous amounts of overconfidence. But hard work, tenacity, perseverance is what makes it a calculated risk, or courage. For again, what is courage, if not a blend of hard work and tenacity for one’s aspirations? And what is the recipe for that, you lady who is just typing away, you ask? I give you two basic ingredients—goal clarity (What I really want), and motivation (to really want what you want). Courage will be a dish born out of this, isn’t it?

As parting words to all aspirants out there, I give you what my dearest Abba always blesses me with, “Be bright, Be brave!”

-Ketaki Joshi,
Thane.

To watch Vaishali Made’s VEDH interview on AVAHAN, click here.

‘Aanandi’ of the 21st Century

The 2019 Marathi film ‘Aanandi Gopal’ ( biopic of the first woman physician of India) is one of my favourite films. Probably, the name Dr. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi has not only inspired many women from India to take up the noble medical profession but also taught to dream of the impossible. Despite her constant struggles with ill health, opposition and criticism, social and economic constrains, severe ups and down in personal life, she went on to become India’s first woman physician.

Today, I would like to write about a versatile personality, whose journey is quite comparable to that of Dr. Aanandibai Joshi’s, but unique in its own respect. Her struggles are different -her expedition equally thrilling and fascinating! What lies common between these two role models, is purpose, courage, grit, determination, zeal and perseverance.

Dr. Sharada Bapat dreamt of becoming a doctor at the age of 36, when she had a well-settled business dealing with electronic safety devices, a happy married life, and a 9 year old son. At the age of 42, she became a medical doctor. She was invited at Pune VEDH in 2018 under the theme ‘Zhapatlepan te Janatepan ‘, and at Thane VEDH under the theme ‘Flop to Top’ in 2019. What makes her a versatile personality is her ability to be curious, and show proficiency in her diverse interests. She has done her B.A., has a law degree under her belt, was an entrepreneur, is an avid traveler, plays the piano, has a private pilot license, was a data analyst, has planted more than 1000 trees, is a doting wife and mother, and a dedicated doctor.

*Dr. Sharada Bapat, a multi- faceted personality.*

Since her childhood days, Dr. Sharada was curious about too many things, and that made her explore vivid interests. As she was growing her mother suffered from prolonged illness, and when no doctor could provide a perfect diagnosis, she started reading about the illness that had gripped her mother. Later, she studied Humanities, and embarked on a well-settled life and career. In 2001, on a trip to America, she heard of her friend’s husband resigning as an engineer from a globally acclaimed company and studying medicine to become a practicing doctor. And the very thought of becoming a doctor clung on to her. Everybody thought the idea was insane. Dr. Sharada was hell-bent, firm on her decision, and tried to explore all possible means to reach her goal. After facing a lot of bureaucratic hurdles, criticism and other challenges, she re-took her 12th boards from the Science stream at the age of 36! Her mother passed away mere days before her 12th board exams, but she decided to see her dream materialized. As no one showed the inclination to consider her case in private or government medical colleges, she started looking for other options. She came across a newspaper advertisement where Wadia Hospital was starting a course in collaboration with a Philippines based University, and enrolled for it in no time. She also went to Philippines for 2 years to complete her clinical rotations and other subjects. During her first year at Philippines, she found some free time on weekends and enrolled herself at a private Pilot Training Institute.

At the age of 42, she had successfully completed her medical course, was a doctor, and also had a private pilot training license to her credit. She worked with the Ruby Hospital and is currently working with Algo Analytics. Dr. Sharada has also initiated a forum called ‘Poona-Citizen-Doctor-Forum’ (PCDF) to facilitate better doctor- patient relationship, and build trust among them.

As I analyzed Dr. Sharada’s journey after listening to her interview’s, I realized that she always kept the child in her alive. Age was never a barrier and every exam she appeared for or every course she enrolled for, was out of her curiosity to learn something new and grab every opportunity to enrich her life with knowledge and skills. She says there is nothing called as zero nor is there an ultimate peak in life- there is just a journey to enjoy. Each one of us has some caliber; it is just that we need to be inquisitive and take up all the knowledge we can from this vast sea of knowledge. Though she didn’t have an ultimate aim for life as most of us do, Dr. Sharada has many short term missions to accomplish, which makes her complexions more organized and her journey more enjoyable.

Probably, education not for a degree but learning to discover our own ignorance makes learning more enjoyable and studying more fun. Dr. Sharada reminds me of a quote by Robin Sharma, “If people aren’t laughing at your dreams, your dreams aren’t big enough.” And yes! Dr. Sharada let people laugh at her unusual plan but she was determined and firm on her decision. Her wish of giving back to the nature, and learning life lessons from the nature appeals to me the most. Because it is just not an act, but reflects her compassion and ability to apply her education which makes her take newer initiatives to protect our ecosystems. When asked of her secret to overcome fear, she replied just facing the situation as it comes with a calm mind, gives better opportunities than simply worrying does.

My takeaway from this session is to stay a life-long learner and never restrict my inquisitive mind from exploring new interests. Sometimes, believing in your own instincts and following what your heart says is more important than what the society expects. Giving back to the society and nature is even more important. I couldn’t think of a better term but rather I will call her ‘Aanandi of the 21st century’, who looked at her mother’s illness as an opportunity to learn more about the entire field of medicine , never lost hope, always faced challenges resiliently,and set an example for all of us. She has not only given her share in the healthcare sector but has created awareness in our society, and given a new face to our healthcare sector. Dr. Sharada’s journey is this beautiful painting, on canvas where each of her talents, skills and offering adds to the beauty of the whole, and her curiosity and fascination fill the picture with new colours. VEDH has brought this picture forth. Women like Dr. Sharada Bapat are the strong pillars of our society who make us believe that with co-operation, compassion and contribution, transformation than a mere change doesn’t seem far but a possible reality.

-Sakshi Jadhav,
Pune.

About the Author: Sakshi is a first- year Bachelor of Arts student from Pune. A Yoga enthusiast, she was introduced to VEDH in the month of April, 2020 during one of the ‘VEDH Katta’ programmes. She has since been a beautiful audience, watching many VEDH sessions on AVAHAN-the YouTube channel.

To watch Dr. Sharada Bapat’s session at Pune VEDH, click here.
To watch Dr. Sharada Bapat’s session at Thane VEDH, click here.

Perfection- A Staircase to Excellence

The shift from academic life to employment can certainly be a challenging transformation for any individual. It is the time when one truly experiences the difference between knowledge and application. And stepping into this new world full of hope and passion is somehow innate to every aspirant. As one steps into this world, he encounters the millions of unexplored doors, and often gets overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tasks and responsibilities.

Personally I have been experiencing this shift for the last couple of months. My goal had always been to deliver the perfect product, the one that cannot be criticized, a flawless and unstained output, which will satisfy the client’s every need, whether it was expressed or unexpressed. It was extremely difficult for me to create one. Often, the small imperfections made me doubt my general skills and training. More than that, what bothered me was the inability to create the perfect product. Around the same time, a friend of mine recommended me to go through the video series of VEDH ON AVAHAN IPH. While surfing through the videos, I came across the topic ‘ Uttamacha Dhyaas’.

This video changed my view towards my work significantly. In this video, Dr. Anand Nadkarni explains beautifully, the role that perfection and excellence play in one’s life. He says that perfection is static, while excellence is dynamic. Perfection will take you to the last step on a staircase, but work done with excellence as the final goal will show you a new road when you reach the last step. It will keep modifying and changing. Work which is done with the goal of perfection will be excellent in quality, but the process used for the final stage will not be gainful. Work done with excellence on the other hand, is synonymous with the process of self-attainment. Dr Nadkarni explains perfection to be simply a medium to reach excellence.

But does one truly ‘reach’ excellence? Excellence is an ever moving target. It is transformative. Every step taken towards progress opens new doors to advancement. Another feature that struck me about excellence, was that it is inclusive, and doesn’t make one insecure. It does not set a pre-determined outline of quality. It is flexible to everyone’s needs; Hence providing more scope for self-acceptance; and also gives a push in multiple directions at the same time.

The concept of perfection, on the other hand, is often perceived as a laddered, definite structure, and breeds insecurity. It demands specifics, and expects a standard. While excellence is like clay; It allows you to take your own size and shape.

Another feature of excellence that I find fascinating is that, it is unique to everyone and yet universal in nature. The way everyone experiences the state of excellence varies. Based on one’s ideas, skills, opinions, it will change. The idea of excellence will be different for a 5 year old, who drew her first drawing, and 30 year old artist, who sold his first drawing will be different. Yet the state felt by them, the experience, will be same; regardless of their age, sex, culture and nationality.

In the end I just want to share the last sentence that Dr. Nadkarni shares, With perfection comes a burden, which is often greeted with annoyance and stress; but when with excellence this same burden becomes a safe space for exploration. It makes work more enjoyable, helps you live in the present, gives you a different sense of self –acceptance, and provides you with a wider ground for future planning. To conclude, Excellence is a quality of action that you bring to your attention.

-Eesha Lavlekar, Pune.

About the Author :

A Psychologist by education and profession I am also passionate about swimming, sketching and reading. Not to mention binging tv series and movies and obssesing over their characters as if they are part of the real world. One of my uncommon wishes is to own a wall worth of books! 😛

To watch the video ‘Uttamacha Dhyaas’, click on https://youtu.be/iJ-44nL-oKg.

Pieces, Puzzle and the Right Fit.

Theoretical physicist, Director of ‘Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics’ (ICTP), Italy, Dr. Atish Dabholkar is a person living his life fully. Some might critique that this is a grossly odd choice of describing words for a man of such renown. But is it? I shall always be grateful to Global VEDH 2020 for letting us make an acquaintance with the man beyond the physicist, that Dr. Atish Dabholkar is! In this blog, I shall try my very best to embroider the colourful threads of insights that this session spun within me.

The world of physics is as alien to me as aliens themselves. I must confess however, that I would have had a little something to do with the discipline, had I gone ahead with my wish to become a pilot. After opting for an education in the social sciences, though, the situation worsened (strictly social speaking). I was expected to have a brain that does not absorb any purely scientific or mathematical concepts—as has time and again been brazenly pointed out by various persons.

I should like to think I am a curious sort, wanting to appreciate the beauty that lies in knowledge. And knowledge is one of those things that is interwoven, so delicately, that boundaries of man-made disciplines cannot contain or mark them as distinct. For example, history, economics, sociology, politics, geography, health, culture, language, art are all interconnected. The lines between these subjects exist only for practical purposes and can rather be called a man-made illusion. For in reality, successful professionals from each of these separate disciplines will have to have a passing knowledge of all the fields and their interactions. A well- read, aware, sensitive inspirational figure such as Dr. Atish Dabholkar only supplements my opinion.

If universality is looked at as a value, there are quite a few things that touch the souls across all of human fraternity. They are experiences that bind us together as one. Be it curiosity, the research that it drives, emotions, appreciation of beauty, aesthetic, art, being swayed to the very core by music, finding joy and expression in movements that is dance… I could go on, but I think the point has been well made. Physics, is such other universal domain, that is so obviously beautiful! If you are a person like me, who finds beauty in order and predictability, you shall surely understand. How can a discipline that explains the workings of the entire universe not be beautiful? There is a sly art underlying the workings of the universe. Physics, to me, captures the aesthetic essence of these workings.

Come to think of it, every discipline has a side that calls for passion, sensitivity and emotions—it is the ‘artsy’ side of that subject. And on the other side of the coin, the very same discipline shall demand logic, comprehensibility, research, tangibility in the form of statistics, analysis and prediction—the ‘scientific side’ of the discipline. For example, music is so obviously an art, and yet, man has fulfilled his need for comprehensibility and order by giving it rules in the form of various taals, matras, notations, etc. There is language, another art, contained in the much strict rules of grammar. Then we have Mathematics, which gives one the heady feeling of control. Perform any sum, the answer is the same every time… every time! There surely is immense beauty in predictability.

I have come to opine, after the finale of Global VEDH, that the best, most sensible way to choose a vocation would be finding a discipline that entices, and fits like a key with one’s passions and sensibilities- that beacons to the ‘artsy’ side, and the ‘logical’ bone in us.

The most virtuous goal of such an engaged professional? To try to restore, maintain, and forward the natural and social harmony in the world as a part of a professional community.

It certainly requires one to go beyond the pages of any books entrusted in one’s hands by their chosen discipline; to look at knowledge as one unending sheet of fabric, trying to fathom the beauty of each thread and appreciate the interconnectivity. The words ‘intellectual glamour’ bring to mind awards, fellowships, many publications to one’s names and the like. I feel this term—’intellectual glamour’, only scratch the surface, defines it in terms of a product, not a process. The term is largely a third person perspective.

What I would really like to aim for, is ‘intellectual spirituality’, or ‘intellectual fulfillment’—that is characterized by a sense of unity—among one’s true and current self, with fellow humans, and with the universe at large. The feeling of being a perfectly placed piece in a large puzzle.

-Ketaki Joshi,
Pune.

To watch Dr. Atish Dabholkar’s session of Global VEDH, click on https://youtu.be/Wyo2UQo2qjc

वेचक – ‘वेध’क

साधारणपणे सात वर्षापूर्वी IPH ठाणे या संस्थेची ओळख झाली. ‘शिक्षक मित्र’ या उपक्रमातून मी व माझ्या शाळेतील शिक्षक या संस्थेशी जोडले गेलो. मानसशास्त्राची पदवीधर असल्याने, शिक्षकी पेशात सुद्धा असे उपक्रम, संस्था, व्यक्ती यांच्या सोबतीने पुढे जाणे मी पसंत करते. कामाचा व्यवसाय होणे व व्यवसाय हीच जीवनशैली होणे हे माझ्या स्वतःच्या बाबतीत अपरिहार्य ठरले आहे. मन व कृती यातील साहचर्य हे आपल्या जीवनातील ध्येयापर्यंत पोहोचवणारे महत्त्वाचे साधन आहे. यासाठी कृती व वर्तनावर सातत्याने काम करत राहिले पाहिजे अशी माझी पक्की धारणा आहे.

जिवंत, सळसळत्या मनांशी शिक्षकाचा नित्य संवाद असतो. उमलत्या पिढीच्या सहवासात स्वतःच्या क्षमतांना वाढवत नेणारा शिक्षक हाच खरा अस्सल ठरतो. तरुणाईची गरुड झेप फक्त पहायची नसते तर त्यात आपणही सहभागी व्हायचे अशी माझी शिक्षक म्हणून इच्छा असते. परमानंद देणारा हा व्यवसाय म्हणूनच माझी जीवनशैली झाला आहे. त्या निमित्ताने माझ्या क्षमतांचा परीघ विस्तारण्याच्या मी प्रयत्नात असते. पुढच्या पिढीची स्पंदने ऐकणे हे अत्यंत रोमांचकारी आहे. त्यासाठी हवी फक्त प्रयोगशीलता! मी पुस्तकांपलिकडच्या वाटा नित्य शोधत असते. क्रमिक अभ्यासाची चौकट ओलांडून काय व कसे दाखवता येईल याचा शोध चालू असताना ‘वेध’ची वाट समोर आली.

विद्यार्थिदशेतला अल्लडपणा, उत्साह, धाडस, आत्मविश्वास, जिद्द, या सर्व गुणांना योग्य वळण देण्यासाठी विविध उपक्रम अत्यंत पूरक ठरतात. विद्यार्थ्यांना मागची साधारण चार वर्षे मी ‘वेध’ला शिक्षकांसह घेऊन जाते. माननीय डॉक्टर नाडकर्णी यांनी लिहिलेल्या ‘वेध’च्या एका शीर्षकगीतानुसार ‘माझी वादळं शहाणी’ होण्यासाठी आम्ही सगळे शिक्षक सतत प्रयत्नशील असतो. यासाठी आम्ही आठवी ते दहावी वयोगट मुद्दाम निवडला आहे. प्रामुख्याने याच वयात विद्यार्थ्यांमध्ये मानसिक, शारीरिक बदलांचा प्रचंड वेग असतो. याच दिवसात त्यांच्यापुढे ‘सामान्यातील असामान्यत्व’ साकारणं हा प्रत्ययकारी अनुभव असतो. ‘वेध’च्या दोन दिवसानंतर शाळेत परत-परत ‘वेध’च्या गप्पांचे फड रंगतात – कधी मैदानावर, कधी डबा खाताना, कधी वाचनालयात!

या सगळ्याचं काटेकोर मूल्यमापन करावं असं मला वाटत नाही. सकस विचारांची पायाभरणी होते आहे याच्या खुणा सापडल्या तरी माझ्यातला शिक्षक समाधानी असतो. शिक्षण ही अखंड चालणारी पण मुक्त प्रक्रिया आहे. या प्रक्रियेला व्यवसाय व रोजगाराशी जोडताना ओढाताण होऊ नये यासाठी ‘वेध’ची सर्व सत्रे मार्गदर्शक आहेत. अत्यंत विचारपूर्वक निवडलेले विषय सूत्र याचेच द्योतक असते. ‘प्रतिकुल ते अनुकूल’, ‘मकसद’, ‘बदल पेरणारी माणसे’ ही मागच्या वर्षांमधली विषय सूत्रे आजही लख्खपणे आठवतात. या दोन दिवसात ऊर्जेने ओतप्रोत भरलेली विविध वयोगटातील माणसं नवी दृष्टी देतात. यशाचा शॉर्टकट न शोधता क्षमता, आवड व करियर यांचा मेळ घालता येतो हे सांगणारी ही माणसं या निमित्ताने समोर येतात. अभ्यास व ‘लगन’ याचे महत्त्व मुलांना नकळत समजते. अडथळ्यांच्या शर्यतीला न घाबरता जीवनाशी दोन हात करणारी माणसं पाहून मन अवाक् होते. मनाला आतून उजळवणारे हे दोन दिवस नक्कीच बळ देतात.

पिढीचे संक्रमण होताना बघण्याचं भाग्य मला शिक्षक म्हणून लाभले आहेच पण कृतीशील होण्याचा, चौकटीबाहेरचा विचार हे दोन दिवस नक्कीच देतात. जगणं आकार घेताना आत्मविश्वासाची ही शिदोरी मुलांच्या हाती आली तर सगळं मिळवलं. या कृतार्थ भावनेत ‘वेध’चा वाटा सर्वाधिक आहे.
कहाणी सुफळ संपूर्ण होण्यासाठी अजून काय हवं?

पूर्वा म्हाळगी,
मुख्याध्यापिका,
अभिजात माध्यमिक शाळा, पुणे- ४११ ०५२.
दूरभाष: ०२०- २५४३५५५३
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अकमराल कैनाझरोव्हा: दोन देशांना जोडणारी कलायोगिनी

Political science च्या पुस्तकातल्या मनाविरुद्ध लक्षात ठेवलेल्या वाक्यांच्या पलीकडे ह्या कझाकस्तान नावाच्या देशाशी ओ की ठो ओळख नव्हती. USSR अर्थात सोविएत युनियनच्या बऱ्याच पिल्लांपैकी हा एक पंचविशीतला पिल्लू देश. अकमराल या याच देशातील नृत्यांगना. कझाक वंशाच्या असूनही त्यांच्या ठायी असलेली भारताबद्दलची ओढ, इथल्या शास्त्रीय संस्कृतीबद्दलचा जिव्हाळा विलक्षण आहे. भरतनाट्यम् च्या प्रेमाने भारतापर्यंत पोहोचलेल्या एका कझाक मुलीची ही गोष्ट.

अकमराल एका उच्चशिक्षित आणि कलासक्त कुटुंबात जन्माला आल्या. वडील दुसऱ्या महायुद्धात लढलेले कर्नल, स्वातंत्र्यानंतर गृहमंत्रालयात कार्यरत होते. वडील डुंबरा नावाच्या एका लोकवाद्याचे वादन करायचे. आई प्रोफेसर आणि त्यांच्या देशातील प्रसिद्ध गायिका होती. घरातच मैफिली रंगायच्या, सगळे एकत्र गायचे, वादन करायचे. असं कलेसाठी पोषक वातावरण असलेल्या घरात वाढलेल्या मुलीला कलेची आवड निर्माण झाली नाही तरच नवल. पण ह्या मुलीला भारतीय नृत्यकलेबद्दल ओढ वाटत होती. मग चहाच्या वेष्टनावरच्या हस्तमुद्रांपासून अमिताभ बच्चनच्या सिनेमापर्यंत नाना ठिकाणहून भारतीय संस्कृती तिला खुणावत होती. थोडी मोठी झाल्यावर लायब्ररी मध्ये जाऊन भारतीय शास्त्रीय नृत्यशैली ह्या विषयावरची पुस्तकं तिने वाचली, चित्रं पाहीली. टीव्ही वर लागणारा एक शास्त्रीय नृत्यशैलींची ओळख करून देणारा कार्यक्रम पाहिला आणि ती कला त्याच देशात जाऊन शिकून घेण्याची तिची उर्मी वाढली.

पुढे कझाकस्तान मध्ये १९९२ साली भारताचा दूतावास सुरु झाला तेव्हा तिथले राजदूत श्री. मलिक ह्यांच्याशी भेट घेऊन त्यांनी आपलं भरतनाट्यम् शिकायचं स्वप्न बोलून दाखवलं. ते म्हणाले कथ्थक शिकायचं असेल तर लगेच जाता येईल पण भरतनाट्यम् शिकण्यासाठी काही काळ थांबावं लागेल. पण ते प्राचीन नृत्य शिकण्याची त्यांची खूप इच्छा होती म्हणून त्यांनी थांबण्याची तयारी दाखविली. अखेरीस १९९३ मध्ये ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) ची शिष्यवृत्ती मिळाली आणि चेन्नई मधल्या ‘कलाक्षेत्र’ मध्ये त्या भरतनाट्यम् शिकण्यासाठी दाखल झाल्या. पत्रकारितेत पदव्युत्तर पदवी असूनही नृत्यात शिक्षण घेण्याच्या त्यांच्या निर्णयाला त्यांचे आईवडील, नवरा या सगळ्यांनीच पाठिंबा दिला. इथे येऊन त्यांनी ४ वर्षांचा भरतनाट्यम् चा अभ्यासक्रम पूर्ण केला. त्यानंतर भरतनाट्यम् च्या साथसंगतीसाठी आवश्यक असणारं ‘तालम्’ किंवा ‘नटुवंगम’ वाद्याचा १ वर्षाचा अभ्यासक्रमही पूर्ण केला.

ही शास्त्रीय नृत्य शिकायला म्हणून आलेली मुलगी फक्त कला शिकली नाही तर त्याबरोबर भारतीय संस्कृती शिकली, संस्कृत शिकली, भारतीय जीवनशैली शिकली, इथल्या पद्धती अवलंबल्या. सुरुवातीला गर्दीशी जुळवून घेतलं, खाद्यसंस्कृतीशी जुळवून घेतलं आणि आता तर ती स्वतःच म्हणते की मी भारतीयच आहे.

भरतनाट्यम् चं शिक्षण पूर्ण करून पुन्हा मायदेशी परतून त्यांनी भारतीय नृत्यशैलींचे शिक्षण देण्यासाठी एक नृत्यसंस्था उभारली. पण तेवढ्यावरच त्या थांबल्या नाहीत. भारतात येऊन पूर्णवेळ राहणं शक्य नसलं तरी त्या अधून मधून येथे येतात, कथ्थक मधल्या जयपुर घराण्याचे गुरु पंडित राजेंद्र गंगाणी ह्यांच्याकडे त्या कथ्थक शिकत आहेत. त्यांच्या अंगात भारतीय आणि कझाक दोन्ही संस्कृती एवढ्या भिनलेल्या आहेत की त्यांना दोन्ही मधली साम्यस्थळं सुद्धा दिसतात. कझाक आणि तामिळ भाषांचं व्याकरण, कथ्थक आणि कझाक लोकनृत्यातल्या मनगट (कलाई) च्या हालचाली त्यांना सारख्या वाटतात.

पण त्यांच्याकरता कला हे साधन आहे, एक व्यापक ध्येय साध्य करण्यासाठी. त्यांना इंडो-कझाक थिएटर स्थापन करायचे आहे. ही जागा भारतीय आणि कझाक ऐक्याचं प्रतीक असेल. ‘United we Stand’ हे त्यांचं ब्रीदच आहे जणू! ह्या प्रतिभावान आणि विचारी नृत्यांगनेची मुलाखत ऐकल्यानंतर तेच विचार डोक्यात घोळत होते. भारतीयांना लाजवतील एवढे चांगले संस्कृत उच्चार, गुरूंचं नाव घेताना कानाला हात लावणं वगैरे अस्सल भारतीयपणा आहे त्यांच्यात. काही वेळा आपल्याला आपल्याच मातृभाषेत, मातृसंस्कृतीत किंवा मातृकलेत अभिव्यक्त होणं कठीण जातं. पण एका दूरवरच्या देशातल्या कलाकाराला भारतीय कलेत expression सापडणं किती विलक्षण आहे नाही! कला आनंद तर देतेच पण दोन देशात मैत्राचा सेतू बांधू शकते म्हणजे केवढी ताकद आहे कलेत! परंपरा कधीच सीमांपुरत्या मर्यादित नसतात, त्यांच्यासाठी अंतर ही कधीच आडकाठी नसते. त्या हवेसारख्या वाहतात, असीम, अमर्याद. आणि श्वासोच्छवासाएवढ्याच सहजतेने आपल्या आयुष्याचा एक भाग बनतात. प्रतिज्ञेमधलं ‘ह्या परंपरांचा पाईक होण्याची पात्रता माझ्या अंगी यावी म्हणून मी सदैव प्रयत्न करीन’ हे वाक्य आपण अनेकदा उच्चारतो, पण परंपरांचं पाईकपण स्वीकारणं म्हणजे नक्की काय हे अकमराल ह्यांना ऐकल्यावर लक्षात येतं. आणि आपल्या भारतीय संस्कृतीचा ठेवा आपापल्या परीने जपण्याची आपलीही प्रत्येकाची जवाबदारी आहे ह्याचं भान ग्लोबल वेध च्या ह्या सत्राने दिलं.

-आभा,
बदलापूर

लेखिकेबद्दल थोडसं:
आभा सध्या रुईया महावियालयात १२ वी कला शाखेत शिकत आहे. वाचनाबरोबरच तिला लेखन,
भरतकाम, इ. ची आवड आहे. शिवाय, गेली आठ वर्षे ती कथ्थक नृत्याचे प्रशिक्षण घेत आहे.

अकमराल यांच्या मुलाखतीची लिंक https://youtu.be/ChLYKArVtIs

कझाकस्तानात जन्मलेल्या भारतीय नृत्यांगना- अकमराल कैनाझरोव्हा

शनिवार दिनांक २६ डिसेंबर रोजी सायंकाळी ७.०० वाजता युट्युब प्रिमियरद्वारे “ग्लोबल वेध” चे पाचवे सत्र साजरे झाले. या महिन्याच्या पाहुण्या होत्या कझाकस्तानी भरतनाट्यम् व कथ्थक नृत्यांगना अकमराल कैनाझरोव्हा. डॉ. आनंद नाडकर्णी आणि डॉ. ज्योती शिरोडकर यांनी त्यांच्याशी सुसंवाद साधला. ऑगस्ट २०२० ते जानेवारी २०२१ या कालावधीत प्रत्येक महिन्याच्या शेवटच्या शनिवारी ग्लोबल वेध साजरा होणार आहे. यामध्ये परदेशामध्ये राहून आपले भारतीयपण टिकविलेल्या किंवा भारतीयपण मिळविलेल्या खास व्यक्तींना भेटता येणार आहे.

कझाकस्तान हा देश मध्य आशिया व पूर्व युरोपच्या सीमारेषेवर वसलेला आहे. मुस्लीम बहुसंख्या असलेला जगातील हा सर्वात उत्तरेकडील देश आहे. प्राचीन रेशीम मार्ग या देशातून जात असल्याने येथील लोकांचा भारताशी प्राचीन काळापासून संपर्क होत आला आहे. १९९१ मध्ये हा देश रशियन संघराज्यापासून स्वतंत्र झाला. आशियाची वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण संस्कृती आणि युरोपमधील मोकळेपणा यांचा संयोग या देशात घडून आला आहे, त्यामुळे वेगळ्या प्रवाहांचे मोकळेपणाने स्वागत करण्याची येथील लोकांची वृत्ती आहे.

अकमराल यांचे कुटुंब कलासक्त होते. त्यांची आई लोकप्रिय कझाकी गायिका आणि प्राध्यापिका होती, तर वडील सैन्यात असूनही लेखनाची आवड जोपासणारे होते. भारतीय सिनेमामुळे अकमराल यांची भारताशी पहिली ओळख झाली. नंतर भारतीय प्राचीन नृत्यकलेची आवड त्यांच्यात निर्माण झाली. वाचनालयातील पुस्तकातून त्यांनी भारतीय नृत्यकलेविषयी जमेल तेव्हढी माहिती मिळविली. पत्रकारितेमध्ये पदव्युत्तर पदवी मिळविल्यानंतर भारतात जाऊन भरतनाट्यम् नृत्यकलेचे शिक्षण घेण्याचा निश्चय त्यांनी केला. १९९३ मध्ये ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) या संस्थेची शिष्यवृत्ती मिळवून त्या भारतात आल्या, एकुण साडेसात वर्षे भारतात वास्तव्य करुन चेन्नईतील कलाक्षेत्र महाविद्यालयातून त्यांनी एम. ए. भरतनाट्यम् चा अभ्यासक्रम पूर्ण केला.

अतिथंड प्रदेशातून चेन्नईसारख्या प्रदेशात आल्यानंतर त्यांना त्यांच्या जीवनपध्दतीत आमुलाग्र बदल करावे लागले. भरतनाट्यम् शिकण्याच्या ओढीमुळे त्यांनी हे सारे बदल आत्मसात केले. भरतनाट्यम् त्यांच्यासाठी केवळ एक उपयोजित कला राहिली नाही, ती त्यांची “जगण्याची पध्दत” बनली. भारतीय प्राचीन संस्कृतीच्या प्रभावामुळे त्या संपूर्ण शाकाहारीही बनल्या, जे त्यांच्या देशात अतिशय दुर्मिळ होते. भरतनाट्यम् नंतर एक तरी उत्तर भारतीय नृत्यप्रकार आत्मसात करण्याच्या इच्छेतून त्या कथ्थक नृत्यही शिकत आहेत. कौटुंबिक कारणांमुळे त्या हा अभ्यासक्रम कझाकस्तान-भारत असा येऊन जाऊन पूर्ण करत आहेत. अकमराल यांच्या या आगळ्यावेगळ्या ध्येयाला त्यांच्या कुटुंबियांची उत्तम साथ मिळाली. त्यांचे आई-वडील, पती आणि मुलांनी त्यांच्या ध्येयाप्रती आदर दर्शविला आणि त्याच्या पूर्तीसाठीच्या त्यांच्या संघर्षात सर्वतोपरी मदत केली.

भारतीय नृत्य शिकणाऱ्या त्या त्यांच्या देशातील पहिल्याच व्यक्ती होत्या. कझाकस्तानातील भारतीय दुतावासाच्या मदतीनी त्यांनी अल्माटी येथे नृत्यप्रशिक्षणकेंद्र सुरु केले आहे. समर्पित भावनेने शिकणारे, मोजकेच प्रज्ञावंत विद्यार्थी त्यांच्या केंद्रात प्रशिक्षण घेत आहेत. त्यांना भारतीय नृत्यकलेविषयी आस्था आहे, त्यांना भारताविषयी प्रेम आणि आदर आहे. त्यांना परंपरांविषयी आस्था आहे, त्यांना संस्कृत भाषेविषयी आस्था आहे.

अल्माटीमध्ये एक मोठे कझाक-भारतीय थिएटर उभारायचे अकमराल यांचे स्वप्न आहे. भारतीय थिएटर उभारुन त्यांना भारतीय आणि कझाक या दोन्ही संस्कृतींमधील महान गोष्टींचा मिलाफ घडवून आणायचा आहे. त्यांच्या मते दोन्ही देशातील लोक खूप प्रामाणिक, खूप मोकळे, खूप आकर्षक, खूप कनवाळू आहेत. भरतनाट्यम् शिकण्याच्या हेतूने त्या भारतात आल्या मात्र इथल्या वास्तव्यात त्यांनी भारतीय संस्कृती पूर्णपणे आत्मसात केली. साडी कशी नेसतात, केरळी नृत्याचा पोशाख कसा परिधान करतात, पूजेसंबंधीचे तपशील, पूजा करण्याची योग्य रित कोणती ते त्यांनी एखाद्या लहान मुलीप्रमाणे शिकून घेतले. कलेचे शिक्षण घेता घेता त्यांचे भारताशी अध्यात्मिक बंध जोडले गेले. हे बंध घेऊन त्या स्वदेशी परतल्या आणि त्यांच्या देशात त्यांनी भारत-कझाकस्तानमधील सांस्कृतिक सख्याचा सेतू उभारला. असे सेतू जगात सर्वत्र उभारले गेले तर ते अखिल मानवजातीच्या उत्कर्षासाठी अमृतासम असतील.

-मंदार परांजपे,
वेध कार्यकर्ते.

अकमराल यांच्या मुलाखतीची लिंक https://youtu.be/ChLYKArVtIs

Into the Field of Unity

In the bumpy ride that 2020 has been (soon to be was), there have sure been some extremely fulfilling moments. Global VEDH is one endowment for us all, that has facilitated such moments of enlightenment; sowing universal values across the world, so that we go on to reap something of our own.

Today, I would love to share a similarly enthralling experience with you. It was August, 2020. Global VEDH was about to dawn upon us. But before it did, I was allowed to witness the process and all the preparation that went into each session of our beloved ‘VEDH on Web’. The aim of the exercise- to acquaint the readers of this blog with the same. Before the final conversation, before each session of Global VEDH was actually recorded, Dr. Anand Nadkarni and Dr. Jyoti Shirodkar, along with other members of the Global VEDH team- Mr. Deepak Palshikar, Mr. Sachin Gaonkar, and Mrs. Vandana Atre, met with the faculty members virtually. These ‘first interactions’ helped team Global VEDH in planning the flow of the actual sessions, and its technical aspects. The subject of this blog is one such ‘first interaction’, that I had the lovely fortune of attending.

It was the evening of the eighteenth of August, 2020. The first words that fell upon my ears, after entering the virtual meeting room, were Russian! Dr. Jyoti Shirodkar was conversing with a handsome woman in fluent Russian. This woman, seated in the background of what would have been hundreds of books, had an endearing presence. But it was the kind of endearing that glowed from beneath an aura of grit and strength. The mere presence of this charming stranger commanded respect. Had you been there, you would have felt a compulsion of curtseying her too! She was Akmaral Kainazarova, a Kazakhstani national, and a veteran Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Kazakhstani folk dancer.

For the next hour and a half, I sat there, glued to the chair, listening inently to the fascinating conversation between Madam Akmaral, Dr. Anand Nadkani and Dr. Jyoti Shirodkar. As a listener, there are hardly any conversations that hold you, lift you onto a better plane, and push you to find something greater within your own world. This was, without a doubt, one such conversation.The meeting room listened to madam Akmaral, as she took us down her memory lane; expressing when and how her fascination with Indian classical dances and the Indian culture began, the arduous journey and immense efforts she had to take just to land here…. “I knew what I wanted”, she said. ‘I just waited for an opportunity.” As she spoke of her time in India as a dance prodigy, it reminded me of my own time away from home—the process of making alien smells, colours and vibes your own. As she went on to talk about her current work as a dancer and guru in Kazakhstan, she said, “This is my mission—not work, not a hobby. A mission is more difficult to undertake.”

Art has always intrigued me. Art and sport are two things you have to have an aptitude for. There is much less room and tolerance for mediocrity in this sphere. It has nothing to do with the person—in this case, the performer, though. It has got to do with the general idea of Art; its conception as the direct link with divinity. As Madam Akmaral said that day, “Art educates, it is divine. It elevates you from material values.” All of us, sometime, might have experienced a state where we are totally absorbed in something, we have immense clarity of the task at hand and our skillset is compatible with the level of challenge. Time seems to fly by, or to be frozen. There is no analysis involved, you and the activity become one. The simple doing of that activity its the reward. (And there is complete room for the mundane here). Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (I have spent a good few minutes memorizing this legend’s name a few years ago) calls this phenomenon ‘flow’. What we gather from his research findings is, all of us have the capacity to experience ‘flow.’ Artists and sportspersons, by a virtue of their vocation, experience ‘flow’ frequently. According to me, it is the ‘flow’ experiences that make art divine; for a moment (or for what seems like an eternity), it makes you one with the incomprehensible. Taking about something on similar lines. madam Akmaral said, “Our jeeva is part of the Paramaatmaa; You’ll understand this better.” Oh, But do we?

You must be wondering why I am rattling on about ‘flow’. As I see it, Madam Akmaral is a personification of everything that ‘flow’ stands for- universality, harmony, oneness, challenge, skill, divinity and happiness. And she is something much more than that. After getting acquainted with Madam Akmaral’s body of work, I thought to myself, “Maybe, this is what a ‘calling’ means; You can’t not go after it!” A young lady, altering norms, opinions and paths, ‘doing whatever it takes’, achieving her goals and much more in the process, going back to her homeland and propagating the values and art of dance in her fellow citizens. It is indeed a singular life being lived by an extraordinary woman!

I invite you all to meet Akmaral Kainazarova in the upcoming Global VEDH session, to be held on the twenty- sixth of December, 2020 at seven in the evening (IST). I invite you to be a part of an enthralling conversation that shall woe us into finding our own ‘flow’ experiences and lifting up the mundane; that shall inspire us to find our calling, chase unusually singular dreams and to go beyond differences into the field of unity.

-Ketaki Joshi,
Pune.

To watch the promo of the coming session of Global VEDH, please click on: https://youtu.be/k32xdcEgRbc Watch the YouTube premier of this session on the channel: ‘AVAHAN IPH’. The link for the same will additionally be uploaded here shortly. Stay tuned.

A VIBGYOR

‘People’ have always been a subject of fascination for me. How are they so different from each other? How does one person become a singer and the other an astronaut? What makes them think and feel different? It’s captivating to just think that there are billions of unalike people making their own way into this world. It makes me wonder how capable each person is! It makes me realize, how special our world is. I always had a question, each and every person on earth has his or her own unique personality, then how are we all living together as a community? It’s amazing how we connect with each other and come together for similar causes. How can I even start describing how VEDH has helped me find answers to my questions over the past… at least 5 years!

Every year, when I first enter the auditorium to attend VEDH, it is filled with the same enchanting energy of the faculties, who have come to speak and the enthusiastic spirit of people who have come to watch! As the curtains rise, I can almost feel myself holding my breath and preparing for the new breath of fresh air that I’m going to be taking in through the words of these incredible people. As Dr. Anand Nadkarni starts speaking, I look around and every single person has a smile on their face. And I’m not even joking when I say this, but it’s astounding how much positivity you feel even when you just sit there. Every person that comes on stage brings a new atmosphere, and a new perspective with them.

Coming back to what I was saying earlier, by listening to all these people I have realized, maybe individualism and a sense of community do not have to be mutually exclusive events. Every person here has found a way to do what they want to, and what they love, by building a sense of awareness about our surroundings and the society. It’s definitely not been an easy road for them and no one knows what it is going to be ahead either, but all of these faculties have made me realize that you have to keep trying and putting in efforts with all your heart, no matter what. We have always read quotes like these in books and on the internet but these people have made me believe in those quotes!

Some of the faculties over the last few years have struck me hard. In VEDH Pune, 2017, we all got to hear from a very young guy, Santosh Garje. At the mere age of 25, he established an orphanage for over 100 children in the village of Georai, providing them with shelter, food and most importantly education. I cannot even begin to imagine how selfless of an act this is at such a young age! How do people start thinking so maturely and have the courage to start doing something so intense and powerful at such an age! I can only imagine the struggles he must have gone through to accomplish something like this. This makes us wonder what humanity actually is. He felt empathy and affection for these orphans, but he did not dismiss these emotions and stop at that; instead, he turned them into an embodiment. An embodiment, where he would be able to ‘provide’ and nurture. What made him so special was his humility. The simplicity in his words, in his body language, and even in his doing. It made me see that maybe, being ‘humane’ is the purest trait a person can practice.

Another person that showed me that it is possible to make your hobby your life was Neha Seth, who came to speak at VEDH 2018, Pune. She first studied B. Tech Electrical Engineering and secured a job at a company. After that, she taught at a school for about 6 months. Eventually, she realized that she did not want to do a job or any sort of a business. She then started learning music. She did not decide to “settle down” like others her age would have done. Instead, she found her stability in instability itself! She goes around in villages and towns, performing her art. It’s definitely not easy for her. Every step tests her mettle, but she is not scared. She is standing up for her decisions and her life. Her dreams are out of this world! While listening to her, it dawned upon me that courage and desire can make any person achieve what they want. She is the perfect example that we humans are not only hooked on materialism but also hark to our strong emotions to create our own version of a perfect life.

From Anand Shinde and Tushar Kulkarni who have worked for wild animals like elephants and giraffes, to K.K. Mohammed, who is exploring and studying about the architectural ruins of a very old India, there is a beautiful diversity around us of what people do and how they are! There are just so many differences among any two people, and yet all of us somehow want to live and thrive together. It makes me wonder, how come we feel the desire to love and protect animals, who are completely different from us? How come we want to stick to our morale even if the society tells us to do and be something else! How amazing is it to think that there are not only hundreds of humans born every minute, but actually hundreds of personalities!

This year, I was really excited for the overall 100^th and the 10^th VEDH in Pune. The virtual, Global VEDH was actually a blessing in disguise, because we got to hear from people all over the world. I’m also really happy that I got to write this blog. Over the last few years, VEDH and IPH have meant a great deal to me. I feel like it does not just influence us, but it’s like an investment IPH is making in the people. Just two days of VEDH make me feel strong, inspired and ready. It makes us stand, approach and create. It makes us reimagine a world which is not perfect, but unquestionably more intense, and intense in a beautiful way.

-Smruti Mhalgi,
Pune.

About the Author

“I’m currently studying science, grade 12 in Fergusson College, Pune. I want to pursue a career in the medical field. I like to read, mostly fiction and write poems and lots of stories. I have always loved giving speeches, debating and participating in group discussions from the very beginning. I also definitely appreciate a good movie. I love animals, so looking forward to working with them in the future! By the way I love people too, no hard feelings haha! I enjoyed researching for and writing this blog, I hope you like it too!”

भारतात घट्ट मुळे राखलेले बहुआयामी ग्लोबल सिटिझन किशोर गोरे

शनिवार दिनांक २८ नोव्हेंबर रोजी सायंकाळी ७.०० वाजता युट्युब प्रिमियरद्वारे “ग्लोबल वेध” चे चौथे सत्र साजरे झाले. या महिन्याचे पाहुणे होते अमेरिकेत वास्तव्यास असणारे उद्योजक श्री. किशोर गोरे.
डॉ. आनंद नाडकर्णी आणि डॉ. ज्योती शिरोडकर यांनी त्यांच्याशी सुसंवाद साधला. ऑगस्ट २०२० ते डिसेंबर २०२० या कालावधीत प्रत्येक महिन्याच्या शेवटच्या शनिवारी ग्लोबल वेध साजरा होणार आहे. यामध्ये परदेशामध्ये राहून आपले भारतीयपण टिकविलेल्या किंवा भारतीयपण मिळविलेल्या खास व्यक्तींना भेटता येणार आहे.

श्री. किशोर गोरे यांचा जन्म एका निम्नमध्यमवर्गीय घरात झाला. त्यांचे आई व वडील दोघेही मॅट्रिकपर्यंत शिक्षण झालेले होते. वडील साखर कारखान्यात नोकरीला तर आई गृहिणी होती. आईच्या माहेरी शिक्षणाची चांगली परंपरा होती. लवकर विवाह झाल्यामुळे आईला पुढे शिकता आले नाही. मुलाने उत्तम शिकावे अशी त्यांची इच्छा होती.

उत्तम शिक्षणाचा मार्ग किशोरदांना नाशिकच्या शासकिय विद्यानिकेतनामुळे (पब्लिक स्कूल) सापडला. मधुकरराव चौधरी शिक्षणमंत्री असताना त्यांच्या पुढाकारातून नाशिक (आता धुळे), चिखलदरा, सातारा व औरंगाबाद या ठिकाणी ही विद्यानिकेतने सुरु करण्यात आली. किशोरदा सांगतात त्याप्रमाणे या शाळेतील कडक शिस्त, व्यक्तीमत्व विकासासाठी पोषक वातावरण, विविध सोयीसवलती, खेळांचा पुरस्कार करणारे शिक्षक आणि भेदरहित वातावरण यामुळे त्यांची उत्तम जडणघडण झाली.

महाविद्यालयीन शिक्षणासाठी आर्थिक चणचण तर होतीच. मात्र दहावीत उत्तम गुण मिळविल्याने (हिंदी विषयात राज्यात द्वितिय क्रमांक) श्रीरामपूरचे आमदार श्री. गोविंदराव आदिक यांच्या प्रयत्नाने किशोरदांना मुंबईतील सोमैया ट्रस्टच्या शिष्यवृत्ती-अंतर्गत मुंबईच्या सोमैया महाविद्यालयात शिक्षण व निवासाची मोफत सोय झाली.

बारावीनंतर अभियांत्रिकीची मळलेली वाट न निवडता किशोरदांनी कृषीतंत्रज्ञान क्षेत्रात बी. टेक. ची पदवी मिळविण्याचे ठरविले. त्यासाठी त्यांनी राहुरी कृषीविद्यापीठाची वाट पकडली. तिथे बी. टेक. ची पदवी प्राप्त केल्यानंतर महाराष्ट्र शासनाच्या पाटबंधारे विभागात नोकरी केली, मात्र तिथे मन न रमल्याने कृषीभूषण डॉ. बुधाजीराव मुळीक यांच्या सल्ल्याने कृषीविद्यापीठात सहाय्यक प्राध्यापक पदावर रुजू झाले. तिथे कार्यरत असताना लोकसेवा आयोगाची परीक्षा देऊन अवर सचिव, मंत्रालय, वनसेवा व इतर ठिकाणी निवड झाली. कृषीतंत्रज्ञान क्षेत्रात बी. टेक. ची पदवी घेतल्यानंतर लोकसेवा आयोगाची परीक्षा देणारे ते पहिलेच. मात्र याच वेळी एशियन इन्स्टिट्युट ऑफ टेक्नॉलॉजी या बँकॉकमधील संस्थेत एम. टेक. करण्यासाठी त्यांना ऑस्ट्रेलियन सरकारची शिष्यवृत्ती मिळाली. हातातील सुखाची सरकारी नोकरी सोडून जगाचे अनुभव घेण्याच्या उत्कटतेतून त्यांनी थायलंडचा रस्ता पकडला.

थायलंडच्या दोन वर्षांच्या वास्तव्यात ते थाई भाषा शिकले, तेथील ग्रामीण लोकजीवनाशी समरुप झाले. गरीब थाई शेंगदाणा शेतकऱ्यांना थोडे अधिक उत्पन्न मिळावे, यासाठी शेंगांपासून शेंगदाणे वेगळे करुन त्यांची प्रतवारी करणारे एक स्वस्त यंत्र त्यांनी शिक्षणातील प्रकल्पाचा भाग म्हणून बनविले. त्याची तेथील प्रसारमाध्यमांनी फार प्रशंसा केली. त्यामुळे त्यांना अमेरिकेचे पीनट प्रेसिडेंट जिमी कार्टर (ते जॉर्जिया राज्यातील मोठे शेंगदाणा शेतकरी होते) यांची भेट ते थायलंडमध्ये आलेले असताना घेता आली. श्री. व सौ. कार्टर यांनी किशोरदांनी तयार केलेल्या यंत्राचे खूप कौतुक केले.

शिक्षणानंतर किशोरदा भारतात परतले आणि भवरलाल जैन यांच्या जैन इरिगेशन कंपनीत त्यांना नोकरी मिळाली. नोकरीच्या या चार वर्षांच्या कालखंडात किशोरदा कामाच्या निमित्ताने जगभर हिंडले. दरम्यानच्या काळात त्यांचा विवाह अभियंता असलेल्या अंजलीताईंशी झाला. अंजलीताईंना अमेरिकन रोटरी फाऊंडेशन ची शिष्यवृत्ती मिळाल्याने त्या अमेरिकेत फिलाडेल्फिया येथे दाखल झाल्या. त्यानंतर एक वर्षाने किशोरदाही अमेरिकन रोटरी फाऊंडेशनच्या शिष्यवृत्तीवर अमेरिकेत शिक्षण घ्यायला गेले, मात्र त्यांना कॅलिफॉर्निया येथे रहावे लागले. किशोरदांनी तिथे एम. बी. ए. आणि एम. आय. एम. Masters of International Business Management (Thunderbird School) या दोन मास्टर्स पदव्या मिळविल्या आणि त्यानंतर त्यांनी आय. टी. उद्योगात विविध पदांवर नोकऱ्या केल्या. २००४ मध्ये त्यांनी स्वत:ची आय. टी. कंपनी सुरु केली.

किशोरदांचा आजवरचा हा प्रवास अनुभवताना रोलर कोस्टरमध्ये बसल्याचा अनुभव येत होता. ग्रामीण भागातील सामान्य घरातील एक मुलगा अखिल जगताला कवेत घेणारे जीवन जगण्यापर्यंत कसा पोहोचतो, जगातील सर्वात बलवान माणूस समजल्या जाणाऱ्या अमेरिकन अध्यक्षाची थाप पाठीवर कशी मिळवितो, विविध क्षेत्रांत स्वत:च्या कर्तृत्वाचा ठसा कसा उमटवितो, सारेच अजब, आणि अत्यंत प्रेरणादायी.

डॉक्टर आनंद नाडकर्णी म्हणाले त्याप्रमाणे, धडक देण्याची इर्ष्या, अविरत घडपड, समतोल राखण्याची क्षमता आणि जीवनाकडे पाहण्याचा अतिशय मोकळा दृष्टीकोन यामुळेच किशोरदांची ही भरारी प्रत्यक्षात आली.

अमेरिकेत तीस वर्षे राहूनही किशोरदांच्या भाषेचा लहेजा बदललेला नाही. तो अहमदनगर जिल्ह्यातून ते घेऊन आले, आणि जीवापाड जपून आहेत. त्यांचे मन आजही भारतातच रेंगाळते, आणि भारतातील ग्रामीण युवकांच्या आकांक्षांशी जीवाभावाचे नाते जपते. ‘नागरी इंटरनॅशनल ग्रुप’ या स्वयंसेवी संस्थेच्या माध्यमातून नगर जिल्ह्यातील दहा गावात विविध विकासकामे ही संस्था करते. आपला अनुभव, कौशल्ये यांचा वापर करुन ग्रामीण भारतातील तरुणांना त्यांची भविष्ये घडविण्यासाठी मदत करायला किशोरदा तत्पर असतात. किशोरदांसारखे ग्लोबल सिटिझन भारताच्या सामाजिक उन्नयनाचे प्रभावी अभिवाहक बनू शकतात.

– मंदार परांजपे, कार्यकर्ता, वेध

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